Editorial: Building new hope in heart of our city

Could that light at the end of the tunnel finally be getting brighter?

Call it the credit crunch, the global financial crisis or the recession, it's all been a bit doom and gloom for Rotorua, and let's face it most of the world, in recent years.

But now here in our city there is reason to be a bit more optimistic.

In the past week, there have been two fresh announcements about major developments in Rotorua - a sign the city is moving forward.

A new retail complex for the Lynmore area on the corner of Te Ngae and Tarawera Rds will replace the former Redwood Holiday Park, a landscape business and two residential properties.

The complex on 1.6ha of land is expected to create more than 50 jobs and will include convenience retail shops such as a butchery, bakery and medical centre as well as possibly a gym, cafe and family restaurant and bar.

The Daily Post reported on Saturday about a new $6 million-plus redevelopment at the former State Insurance building on Hinemoa St which will become the new home for 36 Quest apartments to be targeted at short-stay visitors leading to more jobs and increased activity in the city centre.

One of the most pleasing things about these two developments is the names behind them - Tony Bradley from TPB Properties for the Lynmore development and Ray Cook from R&B; Consultants for the apartments.

Both are successful businessmen with long and proud associations with Rotorua. They obviously see the benefit of pouring this amount of money into our city and have confidence their investments will pay off.

How refreshing. New developments bring vibrancy to a city and we look forward to seeing these plans take shape.